A year after the launch of electronic visas in Russia, 540.9 thousand foreigners got this type of visa, according to the data of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Most often citizens of China, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Turkey and Estonia applied for such a visa
For a year of work of the system of a single electronic visa for entry of foreign citizens to Russia - from August 2023 to July 2024 - it was issued to 540.9 thousand foreigners, follows from the data of the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
Who are asking for Russian electronic visas
Russia started issuing single electronic visas from 1 August 2023. Citizens of 55 countries can apply for such a visa to enter Russia for tourist, business, humanitarian and guest trips, as well as for participation in socio-political, economic and sporting events. Such a visa can only be a single-entry visa. The validity of the electronic visa is 60 calendar days from the moment of receipt, but it is allowed to stay in Russia for no more than 16 days. The total cost of issuing an electronic visa for foreign citizens, taking into account all fees and costs will not exceed $52, previously estimated the director of the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexei Klimov. Unified electronic visas are valid for crossing the border by road, air and water transport, as well as through pedestrian checkpoints.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China became the absolute leader in the number of e-visas issued to Russia over the year (254.2 thousand). Also in the top three countries: Saudi Arabia - its residents issued 43.4 thousand e-visas and Germany (42.6 thousand). Turkey and Estonia round off the top five. Their citizens issued 32.8 thousand and 28.6 thousand e-visas respectively. Also in the top ten countries whose citizens most often issued e-visas to Russia were: India (28 thousand), Latvia (16 thousand), Iran (13.6 thousand), Kuwait (13.3 thousand) and Lithuania (8.8 thousand).
"Electronic visas account for about 80-90 per cent of real tourists," estimated Artur Muradyan, vice-president of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia and general director of Space Travel. According to him, individual tourists from China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey mostly come for short-term trips, as well as for business purposes. At the same time, half of Chinese citizens who apply for an electronic visa enter for business purposes, while the other half - for tourist purposes, said Sergei Voytovich, general director of the travel agency "Svoy TC". But it is important to remember that Chinese residents have the opportunity to come to Russia without a visa as part of a tourist group according to lists, reminds the vice-president of the Russian Union of Travel Industry Dmitry Gorin. From Saudi Arabia, according to Voytovich, 100 per cent enter Russia for tourist purposes.
In turn, residents of Germany and Estonia cannot be called "classic tourists" in Russia, Muradyan believes. According to him, citizens of these countries mainly enter Russia for work or to visit relatives. Voytovich agrees that 90% of German citizens enter Russia for personal purposes.
Who gets the most from Russian electronic visa
China, Middle East countries and India have become the main beneficiaries of the electronic visa, according to Alexander Musikhin, general director of the Intourist tour operator. "The electronic visa has become an effective attraction for foreign tourists without exaggeration," he said. According to Musikhin, almost immediately after its launch last year, the number of tourist arrivals began to grow. "Such a visa is very convenient and three times cheaper than the usual "paper" visa. In addition, it can be paid for in the currency of the applicant's country, and it receives a minimum of refusals," Musikhin points out.
As in the previous year, the bulk of e-visa visitors are business travellers, Musikhin continues. The electronic visa has helped foreigners who come to Russia for business or private purposes, Gorin agrees. Nevertheless, the number of sightseeing tour enthusiasts is also growing, Musikhin notes. According to him, both individual tourists, families and small groups, as well as traditional groups of up to 40 people come for excursions. The main preferences have not changed - it is Moscow and St. Petersburg, and interest in southern regions, such as Krasnodar Krai, is also growing, added the general director of Intourist.
What are the obstacles for tourists to get am electronic visa to Russia
However, one of the restrictions for foreign tourists may be high airfares to Russia, Muradyan points out. According to him, this is due to the fact that international low-cost carriers do not fly to Russia, so holidays become more expensive for many tourists. Another obstacle for tourists may be difficulties in paying for electronic visas, Voytovich said. This reduces the tourist flow at least twice, he said. An additional obstacle for tourists may be a complicated questionnaire with a large number of questions, Gorin adds. In addition, he said, there are proposals from businesses to increase the validity of the visa from six months to a year and make it reusable. This will encourage return demand, the expert believes.
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